Portable and collapsible stand for cameras



' Dec. 23, 1947.

H. K, LINDSEY PORTABLE AND COLLAPSIBLE STAND FOR CAMERAS F 1 d M y 4 1945 Patented Dec. 23, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PORTABLE AND COLLAPSIBLE STAND FOR CAMERAS Henry K. Lindsey, Asheville, N. 0.

Application May 4, 1945, Serial No. 591,974

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a portable stand, and more particularly to such a stand adapted specifically for the use of cameras. A primary object of this invention is the provision of a light, portable means of suspending 3, copying camera in proper position for copying, as for example for maps and documents.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of lights, in association with such a stand, which may be so positioned as to give the most advantageous illumination of the device being copied.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a stand which may be readily constructed of light metal, wood, plastic or the like, in order to provide a stand of materially reduced weight which may be readily carried from place to place without in any way sacrificing the stability of the stand,

Other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter and disclosed in the accompanying drawing wherein there is shown a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a perspective view disclosing the completely assembled stand in operative position.

Figure 2 is an end elevational view of the device in Figure 1, disclosed in folded position.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the de vice as assembled in a carrying case, and

Figure 4 is an end elevational view of the case disclosed in Figure 3.

Similar reference characters refer to similar :I'

provided in their upper extremities with sleeves forming sockets or collars l3 and are preferably characterized by hollow tubing or the like, Which extend below the sockets l3.

Extending members [4 are threadedly secured in each of the sockets l3, and may be secured in any desired manner at their upper extremities to a camera or the like l5.

Secured in horizontal relation, across the framework comprised of each of the members i 0,

H and I2 is a member I6, comprising a reflector, 55

members 16 are secured to the uprights H as by means of sleeves or straps l8, and engage such supports frictionally, in such manner that they may be readily adjustable upwardly or downwardly as desired to produce the desired degree of illumination.

A base cloth 20 is provided and is adapted to be secured at its opposite extremities to the base members It. If desired, suitable centering lines, graduated as may be necessary, designated by the reference numeral 2! may be provided upon the base cloth 20.

From the foregoing the mode of use and operation of the device should now be readily understandable. When it is desired to utilize the same the parts are adjusted to the position shown in Figure 1, the article to be copied is placed from the base cloth directly below the camera I5. The lights H are illuminated, and such exposures as may be necessary are made,

When it is desired to transport the device from place to place the same may be folded to the position disclosed in Figure 2, the base cloth being removed, or alternatively folded upwardly between the extremities of the frame members II, and the device positioned in a carrying case 22, provided with a handle 23 whereby the same may be readily transported from place to place. The carrying case 22 is so designed that if desired the camera may be secured in semi-permanent manner to the members 14 and encompassed within an ofiset portion 24 adjacent one end of the case.

In the foregoing the members [4 have been described as threadedly engaging the members 13, however it will be understood that they may be readily manufactured to slide telescopically therewithin, any suitable securing means being provided for holding them in place, such as conventional set screws (not shown) correspondingly, while the device of the instant invention has been described particularly as a portable stand for folding cameras, for the purpose of reproduction of objects by such cameras, it is to be understood that it may be equally adaptable to other uses, such as for example as a projecting stand for portable moving or still picture projectors, reading projectors and the like.

Now it will be seen thatthere is herein provided an improved portable stand, which accomplishes all the objects of this invention and others including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, and it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A portable stand including a cross piece, a pair of legs hinged at one end thereto, a sheet of pliable material secured to and extending between the other ends of said legs, reflectors mounted upon the adjacent surfaces of said legs, lights 3. A portable stand including a cross piece, a pair of legs hinged at one end thereto, a sheet of pliable material secured to and extending between the other ends of said legs; reflectors mounted upon the adjacent surfaces of said legs, lights in said reflectors, said cross piece comprising an article-supporting means carried by the upper ends of said legs, said legs each constituting a grill consisting of longitudinally extending side bars and a pair of parallel intermeiate bars therebetween, all of said bars being connected by cross rails at the extremities of said side bars, the intermediate bars having telescoping extensions at their upper ends constituting in said fl t r said Cross piece comprising an said article-supporting means, said reflectors bearticle-supporting means carried by the upper ing secured to said intermediate bars intermeends of aid 1egs diate their ends.

2. A portable stand including a cross piece, a HENRY LINDSEY- pair of legs hinged at one end thereto, a sheet of pliable material secured to and extending be- REFERENCES CITED tween the other ends of said legs, reflectors The following references are of record in the mounted upon the adjacent surfaces of said legs, file of this patent: lights in said reflectors, said cross piece comprising an article-supporting means carried by UNITED STATES PATENTS the upper ends of said legs, said legs each con- Number Name Date stituting a grill consisting of longitudinally ex- 2,27 37 Schubert Mar. 10,1942 tending side bars and a pair of parallel inter- ,805,51 Carpe te y 1931 mediate bars therebetween, all of said bars be- 2,112,449 Proudfit M313 1933 ing connected by cross rails at the extremities of 2, ,0 0 Pepper Oct. 29, 1935 said side bars, the intermediate bars having tele- 30 scoping extensions at their upper ends constituting said article-supporting means. 

